Belgium's Red Lions beaten by Spain

The Belgian men’s hockey team have lost their first Pro League game. The World Champions were beaten 4-2 by Spain on Saturday afternoon. The Belgian were leading by 0-2, but lost control of the match allowing the Spaniards to draw level with two goals late in the final quarter. The game went to a shoot-out that the Spanish team won 2-0.

Sat 19 Jan 17:01

Just a month after becoming World Champions the Belgian national hockey team the Red Lion’s opened their Pro League campaign with an away match against Spain in Valencia.

The game started somewhat sluggishly with the Belgians finally waking up in the second quarter. There were chances for Briels, Van Aubel and Boon. However, the Spanish goalie Cortes was on hand to deny the Belgians.

Spain had a goal disallowed in the third quarter. This served to open up the game. A half chance was enough for Plennevaux to put Belgium a goal ahead on 37 minutes.

In the closing stage of the game Hendrickx scored from a penalty corner with just 5 minutes left to play. Belgium appeared to be heading towards victory. However, it was not to be and Rodriguez made it 1-2 from a penalty corner on 58 minutes and Gonzalez equalised in the final minute of the match after blunders in the Belgian defence.

Things went from bad to worse for Belgium during the shoot-out. The Red Lions failed to get anything at all past the experienced Spanish goalie Cortes, while Romeu and Inlesias scored for the home team.